The investigation of the major factors influencing plug-in electric vehicle driving patterns and charging behaviour

All major vehicle manufacturers now have, or plan to have, an electric vehicle model (EVs) on the market. Current EV take up rates are relatively slow, but the main factors that will determine take up rates are complex and unpredictable. A rapid and large increase in the take up rates over the coming years is therefore possible and probable. Such a rapid take up rate, if it occurs, would impact on electricity load and load profiles. Determining what the impacts will be, however, is made difficult as recharging behaviours of EV drivers are not well known or understood in advance. While a number of research studies have reviewed the methods that can be used to control the recharging profiles of EVs, this paper focuses on EV driver recharging behaviours and charging patterns and reviews and presents the major technical, environmental and economical factors that will influence these.